Isn’t that what all writers do, break out of their comfort zone? Every single time we publish something we are basically sending it out to strangers asking for feedback and hoping to the gods that feedback is kind…..that in no way can be described as a comfortable activity. And yet we do it, day in, day out, weeks, months and years.

But worse than that uncomfortable feeling is the feeling that no one out there cares about our writing, that we are spinning our wheels and making no impact at all….that our writing will be met with a huge, collective yawn.

And yet we keep moving forward……

WHERE I AM HEADED

I don’t do resolutions. I set realistic goals and then, come hell or high water, I achieve those goals.

This week, or next week at the latest, I’ll publish the next novel in the Shadow series, “Shadows Over Innocence.” Glad to have that behind me and moving forward. I’m going to price this one very low to reward all those who have loyally followed me.

And forward means a new printing of my first novel, “The 12/59 Shuttle From Yesterday to Today” and also making it into an ebook. Forward also means a new novel and the first in a new ebook novella series (99 cents each) about Billy the Kid.

I’ll continue on HubPages because that’s where my home is and my friends are. I’m going to try and publish three articles per week on HP but most likely it will only be two per week since my new outside job is taking up quite a bit of my time. Hey, I just hit four years on HP…well whoopdidoo!

So that’s it for me. I’ll stay busy. I’ll have fun.

And I’ll thank the stars that I am a writer!

ONE FINAL NOTE

I recently started following a writer on HP by the name of Swalia. She is from India and she has written at least ten articles about Vastu Tips….Vastu for Apartments…Vastu tips for newlyweds…that sort of thing. Pretty unique idea and she is definitely the only writer I’ve known to take on that niche.

23 Responses to “Looking Ahead While Leaning on Yesterday”

Aw, once again Happy New Year to you, Bill and love your outlook for 2016. I am truly so glad you were on Subpages back when I started as not a day goes by that I don’t value the friendship that came out of us meeting that way. Some I met back then have come and gone, but so glad that you are still writing and here to share with all of us. Now also wishing you a wonderful day ahead still, too!! 🙂

You are the one, Bill, that helped me to find my “niche.” Writing about emotional health has been a great way for me to get “out there.” More people respond to my articles, and I get both better feedback and better exposure. I appreciate your encouragement and comments. I hope the best for you in all you do.

Boy! you are such an inspiration.
I started on HP but rarely go there…although your articles on HP when I read them makes me wanna go and write too. Just not getting enuf time and ideas to pen down 700 words right now…
But, as you continue I shall continue to get inspired 🙂

Hello Billy,
Four years on HubPages! My how the time does fly and you have achieved so much in such a short time. I don’t know how you do it.
Nothing stays the same and things move on and it is possible that your life is set to take a slight change of direction with your new commitments. I don’t consider that a bad thing, think that change really is as good as a holiday.
Funny, I saw you were online late last night on FB and I had it in my mind to send you a few words of cheer but for some reason I held back so I am sending them to you now for I know that you have given so much of yourself to so many people over the past three years which I have spent on HubPages. I think it is my turn to say, thank you, Billy, for always being there.

Sally, that is such a lovely thing for you to say…and do. Thank you! I consider myself pretty lucky. For four years I have had new friendships handed to me for no cost…what a wonderful bargain that is. 🙂 Thank you for your friendship and your giving nature.

Dang I miss HubPages – but I miss it before I became “an apprentice.” The act of publishing a perfectly polished article every time with perfect evergreen status sort of killed my desire to write more hubs in favor of writing about “stories from a hypersensitive creative.”
But well, I have great relationships with people from the days I wrote there more. 🙂 I have made some awesome, awesome friends.
Wow. Four years. I got my four year badge in November. I unpublished about 30 hubs that hadn’t had views in months and I’m happy with what I have there…for now.
These days I still like to keep up with my good friends (ahem, Big Bro, hehe) while exploring art…and just sharing for sharing’s sake. No pressure and a lot of relaxing fun…from a stressful (but rewarding) job.
You know one of my favorite things about you? Your persistence. You really have what it takes to tackle something for the long haul. You have follow through. These are skills that I greatly admire, for I need to work on those. So, keep on being the shining star that you are. 🙂 You’re an inspiration.

Awww, Lil Sis, that was sweet. Thank you! Persistence or stubbornness? I’m not sure which. I may not ever make it big, but it won’t be because I gave up. And there’s no quit in you, and what I love about you is your willingness to try something and if it doesn’t work move to the next, and the next, and the next…you are constantly seeking…and it’s beautiful to witness.

I have not been on Hubpages for awhile but still enjoy reading your words. . You have a touch of “life coach” in many of your posts which I have found very encouraging and inspiring. Your words do have an impact for me. I’m not sure of where I will end up on this journey, but wanted to say thanks.

Happy New Year, Bill. I continue to be impressed by what you have accomplished over the four years I have known you. I wish I was even half that productive. I’m actually working on a new article for Hubpages, though. I published a grand total of one hub in 2015 and figured I better do at least that for 2016. 🙂

Happy new year to you Bill! Aaaah, it sounds like you’ve got some great things set for 2016. I sometimes wish I was as consistent as you with the blogging and HubPages (I miss that place! Just don’t have the time), but I get bored after about 7-9 months and then I just want to start something new. Something about the excitement of fresh things online. So I’m just grateful to be in a job which is constantly evolving and keeping up with the latest in the digital world, very exciting! So glad you are still writing on this blog, I love coming here to read your latest tips and the quote of the day… today’s one resonates so well with me. Well, it’s boiling hot over here, hope you’re keeping warm that side. Have a great weekend friend!

Mel, it’s always good to hear from you. Time is not on my side right now. Working many hours and trying to continue writing….I’m feeling the pressure to produce. But all things pass in time, don’t they? And my life is very good even on its worst day.

Ahh, the comfort zone. You spoke that with grace. I also wonder if people really care about my writing, and then I get those inspiring comments from people like you. Bill, onward ho. Writing is the air we breathe my friend. Happy New Year!